Sliver inserter



P 1965 w. B. BROOKS ETAL 3,207,476

SLIVER INSERTER Filed 001 3, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 fg I w William B, Br Lamar Maynard VENTOR5 AT TORNE Y p 21, 1965 w. B. BROOKS ETAL 3,207,476

SLIVER INSERTER Filed Oct. 3, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 William B. Brooks 1 Lamar Maynard IT"\'EY\TORS ATTORNEY P 21, 1965 w. B. BROOKS ETAL 3,207,476

SLIVER INSERTER 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed 001;. 3, 1963 William B. Brooks Lamar Maynard INVENTOR- ATTORNEY p 1955 w. B. BROOKS ETAL 3,207,476

SLIVER INSERTER Filed Oct. 3, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig.4

William B. Brooks Lamar Maynard ETVI JL IN VENTORS P 1965 w. B. BROOKS ETAL 3,207,476

SLIVER INSERTER 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed 001;. 3, 1963 William 8. Brooks Lamar Maynard INVENTOR' ATTORNEY Sept. 21, 1965 W. B. BROOKS ETAL SLIVER INSERTER Filed Oct. 3, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 40 W 'm In H i l 54 39 in.

Fig. 6

ATTORNEY United States Patent M 3,207,476 SLIVER INSERTER William B. Brooks, Guntersville, and Lamar Maynard,

Huntsville, Ala., assignors to Thiokol Chemical Corporation, Bristol, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 3, 1963, Ser. No. 313,480 6 Claims. (Cl. 254126) To eliminate this loss and thus not affect the flightpattern of the solid propellant rocket, inert slivers are positioned in and bonded to the interior surface of a motor case in the identical position the propellant slivers will assume during the firing operation of the solid propellant rocket. The configuration of the central cavity in the solid propellant charge determines the number of propellant slivers that will remain after the burnout of the solid propellant charge; thus the number of inert slivers that must be positioned in the motor case is determined by the specific configuration .of the particular solid propellant charge being cast into the motor case.

That portion of the inert sliver that is to contact the interior surface of the motor case has an adhesive applied thereto so that, when the inert sliver is placed in position, the adhesive on the inert sliver will bond the inert sliver to the interior surface of the motor case.

It is an object of the invention, therefore, to provide an apparatus that will position an inert sliver in a motor case and retain the inert sliver in contact with the interior surface of the motor case until the adhesive applied thereto has bonded the inert sliver to the interior surface of the motor case.

It is another object of the invention to provide an apparatus that will insert and retain in position in a motor case a predetermined number of inert slivers, the number of which is determined by the specific configuration of the particular solid propellant charge being cast into the motor case.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus that can be collapsed so that it can be inserted through the throat area of the motor case and then expanded after the insertion thereof so that the inert slivers carried thereby can be moved into contact with the interior surface of the motor case.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists of the novel details of construction, arrangement, and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described, claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic perspective view of an apparatus embodying the invention mounted on a wheeled vehicle which is used for the transportation of the apparatus.

FIGURE 2 is a detailed, fragmentary, cross-sectional view, partly in elevation, showing in phantom the inert 3,207,476 Patented Sept. 21, 1965 slivers in position with respect to the interior surface of a motor case.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, detailed, fragmentary, elevational view of the fore end portion of the apparatus as it would appear .on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3 showing the intermediate portion of the apparatus as it would appear on the line 44 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURES 3 and 4 showing the aft end portion of the apparatus as it would appear on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged, detailed, fragmentary, elevational view, partly broken away, .of the fore end of one of the inert sliver positioners as shown in FIGURE 2.

Referring more in detail to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by like reference numerals, the reference numeral 10 is used to generally designate an apparatus embodying the instant invention.

Referring to FIGURES 3, 4 and 5, it will be noted that the apparatus 10 includes a sectional mandrel 11 which is composed of a fore section 12, intermediate section 13, and an aft section 14. The fore section 12 has a flanged coupling 15 secured to the aft end thereof that is detachably bolted to a similar flanged coupling 16 secured to the fore end of the intermediate section 13. The aft end of the intermediate section 13 has a flanged coupling 17 on the aft end thereof that is detachably bolted to a flanged coupling 18 on the fore end of the aft section 14; thus the sections of the mandrel 11 are secured together in unitary relation to each other to provide a substantially rigid construction.

Extending longitudinally of the mandrel 11 is an actuating rod or shaft 19 which is composed of three sections to match the three sections of the mandrel 11. In FIGURE 4, there is shown, for example, the intermediate section 20 of the actuating rod or shaft 19; and at 21, there is shown a lap joint between the fore section 22 of the actuating rod or shaft 19 and the intermediate section 20 thereof. The lap joints 21 are detachably bolted to each other to form a unitary, substantially rigid actuating rod or shaft 19.

At approximately the center of each of the sections of the actuating rod or shaft 19, there is provided a pair of reversely-positioned right and left-hand threads 23 and 24 respectively; and each of the corresponding sections of the mandrel 11 has a pair of collars 25 and 26 slidably mounted thereon. Each of the collars 25 and 26 has a threaded block 27 detachably connected thereto which engages their respective right and left-hand threads 23 and 24. Each of the collars 25 and 26 has a coupling flange 28 on the opposing edges thereof, and each of the flanges 28 has a plurality of radially-disposed, bifurcated projections 29 thereon.

The threaded block 27 of each of the collars 25 and 26 project through longitudinally extending slots 30 in the mandrel 11 to engage the threads 23 and 24 on the respective sections of the actuating rod or shaft 19, as shown in FIGURE 4.

Secured to the approximate center of each of the sections of the mandrel 11 is a polygonal-shaped band mem ber 31; and secured to each of the sections of the mandrel 11 on oposite sides of the band member 31 are fixed collars 32 and 33 respectively. Each of the fixed collars 32 and 33 has a coupling flange 34 on the opposing edges thereof; and each of the flanges 34 has a plurality of radially-disposed bifurcated projections 35 thereon to match in number the bifurcated projections 29 on the flanges 28 on the collars 25 and 26.

Extending outwardly from each of the band members 31 in perpendicular relation to the sides thereof are a plurality of guide bars 36 which are secured to the band members 31 in any conventional or well-known manner. Slidably mounted on each of the guide bars 36 is a sleeve 37; a collar 38 is secured to each of the sleeves 37 adjacent the fore end thereof in any conventional or wellknown manner.

Slidably mounted in the fore end of each of the sleeves 37 is a spring-biased mounting and positioning block 39; and each of the blocks 39 is provided with recessed fore end 40 and a pair diametrically-opposed, spring-biased, inert sliver-retaining fingers 41 and 42 respectively that have enlarged, inwardly-extending tips 43 on the fore ends thereof.

Each of the sleeves 38 is provided with a plurality of pairs of diametrically-opposed, right-angularly extending radially-disposed, bifurcated projections 44 and linkage arms 45 are pivotally connected at their opposite ends to the projections 29 on the coupling flanges 28 and the projections 44 on the collars 38. Short linkage arms 46 are pivotally connected at one end thereof to the projections 35 on the flanges 34 and are pivotally connected at their opposite ends to the approximate center of the linkage arms 45 at 47.

In FIGURE 3, it will be noted that each of the sleeves 38 is provided with a right-angularly extending, radiallydisposed, spring-supporting plate 48 which is secured to the sleeve 38 outwardly of and in alignment with projections 44, as by welding 49 or the like.

In FIGURE 4, each of the sleeves 38 is provided with a pair of diametrically-opposed, right-angularly extending, radially disposed, spring supporting plates 48 which are secured to the sleeves 38 outwardly of an in alignment with the projections 44, and as by welding 49 or the like.

Also, it will be noted in FIGURE 5, that each of the sleeves 38 is provided with a right-angularly extending, radially-disposed, spring-supporting plate 48 which is secured to the sleeves 38 outwardly of and in alignment with the projections 44, as by welding 49 or the like.

The plates 48 are positioned so that they extend from the aft and fore sections toward the intermediate section and from the intermediate section toward the fore and aft sections; and all of the plates 48 are in alignment with each other throughout the longitudinal axis of the apparatus 10.

A pair of bolts 50 are loosely mounted in each of the plates 48 in spaced relation to each other and are, at their outer ends, loosely connected to the inert sliver supporting assemblies 51. An expansion spring 52 is positioned on each of the bolts 50 in circumjacent relation thereto and intermediate of and engaging the plates 48 and the assemblies 51. The assemblies 51 comprise a channel or U-shaped base member 53. A plurality of transversely-extending support plates 54 are secured in the base member 53 in parallel spaced relation to each other and each of the plates 54 has a central opening 55 therein. Secured to the longitudinal edges of the base members 53 and to the upper edges of the plates 54 are a pair of angle bars 56 and 57 respectively; and bridging the longitudinal edges of the angle bars 56 and 57 and secured thereto are support bars 58 and 59 and the faces 60 of the bars 58 and 59 are contoured to conform to the surface contours of an inert sliver A. When the inert slivers A are placed in position on the assemblies 51, one of the ends of the spring clips 61 FIGURE 6 engages the tips 43 on the fingers 41 and 42, and the opposite ends thereof engage sockets 62 in the inert slivers A. Thus, the inert slivers A are retained in contact with the recessed fore ends 40 of the bars 39 and the support bars 58 of the assemblies 51.

Secured to the aft end of the mandrel 11 is a combination gear box and support member 63 and a conventional gear train in the gear box connects a handle 64 to the actuating rod 19 for the actuation thereof.

In FIGURE 1, the apparatus 10 is shown mounted on a wheeled vehicle B that is shown in phantom since the vehicle B is used to transport the apparatus 10 as well as to store it when it is not in use.

When the apparatus 10 is to be used to insert and position the required number of inert slivers A into a motor case, not shown, a hoisting means is connected to the gear box and support member 63 and the apparatus 10 is hoisted into a vertical position above the verticallypositioned motor case.

The inert slivers A are placed in position on the apparatus 10, an adhesive is applied to that surface of the inert sliver A that is to contact the interior surface of the motor case, and the apparatus 10 is lowered into the motor case. The handle 64 is then rotated clockwise to rotate the actuating rod 19 and cause the movement of the collars 25 and 26 by means of the threaded blocks 27 engaging the threads 23 and 24. Movement of the collars 25 and 26 will actuate the linkage arms 46 and 46 to extend the inert slivers A into contact with the inner surface of the motor case. The apparatus 10 will retain the inert slivers A in contact With the inner surface of the motor case until the adhesive has bonded the inert slivers A to the motor case. The handle 64 will then be rotated in an anticlock direction to contract the assemblies 51 at which time the spring clips 61 will be disengaged from the inert slivers A and the apparatus 10 can be collapsed so that it can be removed from the motor case. The springs 52 permit the assemblies 51 to give or take at either end so that if the inner surface of the motor case is not exactly true the inert slivers A can still be forced into contact with the inner surface of the motor case.

After the apparatus 10 has been removed from the motor case, it can be reused as previously described or it can be again positioned on the vehicle B until its use is again required.

There has thus been provided a sliver inserter that can position and apply insert slivers in a motor case that is to be used for a solid propellant rocket motor; and it is believed that, from the foregoing description, the structure and manner of use of the sliver inserter will be apparent to those skilled in the art, it also being understood that variations in the structure thereof may be adhered to providing such variations fall Within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A sliver inserter comprising a tubular sectional mandrel, an actuating rod having a plurality of pairs of right and left hand threads thereon positioned in said mandrel and extending longitudinally thereof, a plurality of pairs of collars slidably mounted on said mandrel, a plurality of pairs of collars fixed to said mandrel inwardly of said slidably-mounted collars, a threaded block mounted in each of said slidably-mounted collars for engagement with said right and left-hand threads, a polygonalshaped band fixed to said mandrel intermediate said pairs of fixed collars, a plurality of bars extending outwardly of each of said bands and fixed thereto, spring-biased sliver support assemblies slidably connected to said bars and linkage arms connected to said fixed and movable collars and to said assemblies.

2. A sliver inserter, as in claim 1, wherein a gear box and support means is connected to one end of said mandrel and said last mentioned means including means for the rotation of said actuating rod.

3. A sliver inserter, as in claim 1, wherein said sliver support assemblies include a pair of parallel-spaced, longitudinally extending sliver support members and said members have means thereon for connecting an inert sliver thereto.

4. A sliver inserter, as in claim 1, wherein each of said collars has a flange thereon and each of said flanges has a plurality of bifurcated projections thereon that are adapted to receive and be pivotally connected to one of the ends of said linkage arms.

5. A sliver inserter, as in claim 4, wherein a collar is slidably mounted on each of said bars and each of said collars is provided with a plurality of bifurcated projections that are adapted to receive and be pivotally connected to the opposite ends of certain of said linkage arms.

6. A sliver inserter, as in claim 5, wherein the collars on said bars have one or more spring support members mounted thereon, said support assemblies are loosely bolted to said spring-support members and springs are mounted on said bolts intermediate of said spring-support members and said support assemblies.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,809,674 10/57 Ward 242-72 WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

MILTON S. MEHR, Examiner. 

1. A SLIVER INSERTER COMPRISING A TUBULAR SECTIONAL MANDREL, AN ACTUATING ROD HAVING A PLURALITY OF PAIRS OF RIGHT AND LEFT HAND THREADS THEREON POSITIONED IN SAID MANDREL AND EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF, A PLURALITY OF PAIRS OF COLLARS SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID MANDREL, A PLURALITY OF PAIRS OF COLLARS FIXED TO SAID MANDREL INWARDLY OF SAID SLIDABLY-MOUNTED COLLARS, A THREADED BLOCK MOUNTED IN EACH OF SAID SLIDABLY-MOUNTED COLLARS FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID RIGHT AND LEFT-HAND THREADS, A PLOYGONALSHAPED BAND FIXED TO SAID MANDREL INTERMEDIATE SAID PAIRS OF FIXED COLLARS, A PLURALITY OF BARS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY OF EACH OF SAID BANDS AND FIXED THERETO, SPRING-BIASED SLIVER SUPPORT ASSEMBLIES SLIDABLY CONNECTED TO SAID BARS AND LINKAGE ARMS CONNECTED TO SAID FIXED AND MOVABLE COLLARS AND TO SAID ASSEMBLIES. 